Deputy Pearse Doherty has strongly encouraged the local community to engage with the soon to be launched public consultation process into the Gaoth Dobhair Sewerage Scheme when it begins in the coming weeks.
Deputy Doherty was speaking ahead of a scheduled briefing session on the scheme which is due to take place today in Gaoth Dobhair.
Elected representatives will be given more details on the options being considered by the authorities in order to progress the delivery of the long-awaited waste water system.
Deputy Doherty said “I very much look forward to attending today’s briefing session which has been organised by Irish Water and Donegal County Council to reveal the details of sewerage scheme which they’ve identified as being capable of meeting the waste water infrastructure needs of the Gaoth Dobhair area.
“As has been well documented, the recent advancements which have been made to progress the delivery of the scheme have come about as a direct result of the action taken by my colleague MEP Matt Carthy and I and comes on the back our joint submission to the European Commission in May 2015 when we brought the state’s failure to deliver the scheme to the attention of the EU Commissioner.
“This action led to the Commission issuing its ‘Reasoned Opinion’ last September in which it determined that the state was in fact in violation of Community law as it was not providing waste water collection services in Gaoth Dobhair, and that legal proceedings against the state would be initiated as a result.
“As I’ve said before, Sinn Féin had no desire to go down this route however, successive governments had left us with no other option but to take this matter to the European Institution as the rights of local people were continuing to be denied by authorities here.”
He added that today’s session should provide greater clarity in respect of the scheme design which the authorities are proposing to introduce here in Gaoth Dobhair, which they claim will not only meet the needs of local households and businesses, but which will ensure that the state will meet its obligations under the Waste Water Treatment Directive .
“While today’s session is another step in the right direction in what has been the forty plus years saga in having this scheme installed, it’s important to stress that it is vital that the wishes and needs of the local community are listened to and respected, because whatever scheme is selected and constructed will only be successful if it receives the backing of local residents and business owners.
“That’s why I am encouraging everyone in the Gaoth Dobhair area to have their say and be involved in the upcoming consultation process into the scheme which I’ve been informed is expected to commence later in the Spring.”